Walking in Another World

position to have their way.”

The Aurora company has stores all over the country, and since they pay a lot of registration fees to the guild, they have a lot of influence.
They were probably abusing that power.

I paid the lowest amount I had to in order to register with the guild, but the ones who really pay end up paying a lot more.
I honestly can’t picture myself doing that.

“Does that mean that there are other cases of people abusing those privileges?”

Asks Leila, and she gets an apologetic nod in return.

He says that at the very least, this sort of thing is happening with people on the lower end of the corporate ladder, but it’s possible that it’s becoming normalized.

“We are going to be holding hearings to check if people related to our company are responsible for any wrongdoings.
This will extend to those working outside of this country as well.”

It all just sounds like lip service.
How are they going to judge those wrongdoings in the first place? In this country, they can use an officer of veracity if it comes to that, but is there a similar occupation in other countries?

“Are you unsatisfied?”

Asks Coutre.
I guess I’m scowling.

Yes, I am.
Or rather, I don’t really believe it.

“What will you do if those people lie? Some of them might be colluding with guild employees.
What will the guild master feel then?”

“Yes, this will have to be re-examined.
In fact, that just happened with someone in the position of guild master.”

From Leila and Locke’s point of view, this is a problem with the merchant guild that the merchant guild itself needs to take care of.

But there’s the possibility that they could close the curtain on this matter without learning anything.
I mean, they say they’re going to conduct an investigation, but we have no way to confirm that.

“Then can I propose something?”

“What is it?”

“Firstly, the Aurora company pays a fine to the merchant guild.
And make it so they don’t receive the benefits that come from paying so much in registration fees for ten years.”

“T-that’s…!”

“There might be merchants who leave the Aurora company because of this, but make it so they officially can’t receive those benefits for ten years even if they move to another company.
When the preparations are complete, inform everyone in the guild why this measure is being taken.”

Arthur is looking at me like he has no idea what I’m talking about, but I keep going.

“Also, since the Aurora company caused trouble for us, I demand one platinum coin as reparations.”

“P-platinum… That’s extortion.”

“Is it? I think it’s appropriate considering what that Enrique and the others did.
An invalid quest, unreasonable actions… And above all else, they treated us with contempt.
I think I’m being lenient.”

“…”

“Words aren’t enough.
I’m a merchant too, and I can’t trust without being paid in a tangible way.
If we didn’t know to call the officer of veracity, we would have been treated as criminals.
Isn’t that what your company has been doing, like it’s no big deal?”

“…Let me consult the main office.”

“I don’t know how long I’ll stay in this country.”

“Then, two days.
No, come to the merchant guild in three days.
We will have an answer then.”

The conversation is over, and we leave the guild.

Locke and the others say goodbye, saying they’re going to meet some people they know.

“Sora, try not to go overboard.”

Locke says before they disappear into the crowd.

It was a short goodbye, but typical of an adventurer.

“Hum, will you come to my house?”

I’m about to say goodbye to Leila and the others, when Yor suddenly proposes something.
I’m told it’s difficult to get an inn around this time, and we might not get one at all.

I think about it for a bit, but decide to accept her offer.